Kerry Carpenter is back, and do the Detroit Tigers ever need him.
The 25-year-old outfielder, who hadn't played since the end of April, returned to the starting lineup Friday as the designated hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Comerica Park.
He completed a nine-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo.
"This is where I want to be," Carpenter said before Friday's game. "I was working hard the whole rehab process to get back here, so it's fun to be back."
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